Former selectman to serve on Board of Health

BELLINGHAM - Selectmen appointed a new Board of Health member Monday, filling one of several open positions on various town boards and committees.

Michelle Laczkoski/Daily News staff

Selectmen appointed a new Board of Health member Monday, filling one of several open positions on various town boards and committees.

Former Selectman Guy Fleuette was chosen for the Board of Health position, recently vacated by the resignation of Chairman Camille Vaillant.

At this week's meeting, Fleuette was chosen over another former selectman, Roger Oakley. The Board of Selectmen briefly interviewed the two before choosing Fleuette.

Chairwoman Ann Odabashian said both applicants are "two of most outstanding candidates you could get."

"Both are very hard working," she said of the two former selectmen.

The board chose Fleuette based on his health background, Odabashian said.

"We felt it was an important asset," she said.

Fluette, who works as a social worker, could not be reached for comment. He recently joined the Worcester Regional Medical Reserve Corps, a volunteer group trained for emergency preparedness.

Town Administrator Denis Fraine and selectmen Dawn Davies and Lloyd Goodnow questioned the two candidates on several health-related issues, including the pending restricted use of outdoor wood boilers.

"It's a huge responsibility," Odabashian said. "People don't realize there are a lot of important issues they deal with."

Vice Chairman Richard Martinelli and Selectman Ronald Picard were not present at the meeting.

Among other vacant positions in town: one seat each on the Board of Assessors, Capital Improvement Committee, Cemetery Committee, Commission on Disability and Conservation Committee.

The town is also seeking four people to serve on the Council on Aging, one member on the Historical Commission, one associate position on the Planning Board, and one seat on the Zoning Board of Appeals.

For more information, visit www.bellinghamma.org or call Jacki Bokoski at 508-966-5800.

In other business, the board suspended Bellingham Grocery's liquor license for one day after the store sold alcohol to a minor during a recent townwide sting.

Odabashian said the board took Police Chief Gerald Daigle's recommendation.

"They worked at trying to correct situation," said the selectmen chairman, who noted such instances are handled on a case-by-case basis.

Michelle Laczkoski can be reached at mlaczkos@cnc.com or 508-634-7556.

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